Early Development of Chestnut Sprouts. 35 



An additional region of study lay in northern central Penn- 

 sylvania. It represented mostly first cutting, with some good 

 examples of coppice forest resulting from lumbering, and also 

 from forest fires. The special contribution from this region to 

 the subject under investigation consists of measurements of 

 sprouts from stumps of trees of seedling origin, clear and selec- 

 tive cuttings for poles, posts and ties being made continuously 

 over the tract. 



Except where otherwise stated the method used in obtaining 

 the data for each of the investigations was the same through- 

 out. In general, the following plan prevailed: Sample plots or 

 strips were selected, in shape and size depending upon conditions 

 of topography, the area of the particular type or site quality, and 

 the character of the investigation in hand. Sample plots were 

 generally 66 feet square, and strips 4 rods wide; measurements 

 were taken on all living stumps of the specified species within 

 the sample area. In the studies pertaining to height-growth 

 (except in certain cases) only the three dominant sprouts of 

 each colony or stump group were considered. In young sprouts, 

 the diameter measurements were taken at a height of 2 feet from 

 the ground. Measurements were also made of the amount of 

 yearly growth in height for successive years in young sprouts. 

 The .limits of growth up to the age of about 5 years, are defined 

 by one or more of the following external appearances : Ring of 

 the bud scale scars, or enlargement at nodes ; aborted dead tip 

 of previous year's growth; cluster of branches at terminus of 

 year's growth (inconstant) ; decided change of color and mark- 

 ings on bark. Descriptive notes on local conditions of site and 

 silvicultural features were taken for each sample area. 



Sprouts arise from two classes of buds, dormant and adventi- 

 tious, the former often continuing in existence for many years 

 before developing into a shoot. It seems likely, however, that 

 sprouts arise more frequently from adventitious buds. The 

 formation of these can result only from some local stimulation. 

 Through the sudden and relatively large increase in food supply 

 at all points in the stump caused by the removal of the upper 

 part of the tree such a stimulus is created. There are other 

 sources of irritation, which are either chemical or physical in 

 their nature and internal or external in respect to the point of 

 their application. The enzyme of a fungus mycelium, the attack 



